Ann Belle – Family Travel 411

Charlotte with Kids | North Carolina Family Vacation Guide

Ann Belle — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 20:56:50 +0000

NORTH CAROLINA FAMILY VACATIONS: Charlotte with Kids – Unsuspecting visitors should know: Charlotte is more than just race cars, sports, and barbecue. It’s a cultural hub created by locals who love where they live and continuously strive to make it better. As a new resident, I’m learning more about the city every day. Here are four of my favorite family-friendly activities, plus one awesome hotel and one restaurant recommendation for a getaway to Uptown Charlotte with kids.

Activity 1: Travel Back in Time

Interactive exhibits invite kids on a trip back in time at the Levine Museum of the New South.

The Levine Museum of the New South makes history fun. Their permanent exhibit, “From Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” tells the story of Charlotte from post Civil War to today. The exhibit is separated into six eras using artifacts and recordings to recreate the time. My kids immediately ‘got it’.

They don’t know how to read, but the familiar scenes from the unfamiliar times drew them in. In the 1880s one-room farmhouse replica, my kids went right to the old-time music box, pushed the button, and started dancing to the music. They opened a refrigerator from the early 20^th century kitchen and took out ingredients to start “cooking” on the stove. They continued their discoveries through each era. And as a bonus, with them entertained, I had time to read about the people and events that shaped Charlotte’s history. www.museumofthenewsouth.org

Please note: Some material may not be suitable for young kids, but the museum gives fair warning.

Activity 2: Formulate and Test a Hypothesis

Don’t try this at home: Charlotte’s Discovery Place lets kids take science into their own hands.

In the late 1950s when the Soviet Union’s Sputnik program was beating out the U.S. space program, Charlotte locals got a little nervous. They wanted to feel like they were doing something. Their solution? Give local kids more exposure to science. The community agreed, raised funds, and built Discovery Place.

The name, Discovery Place, just fits. It’s a place of discovery. Each exhibit seems to stem from the thought, what have you always wanted to do, but your parents wouldn’t let you? Or, what do you want to try, but couldn’t figure out how to do yourself? It lets you ask, what would happen if…

For my kids this means looking at me to make sure I’m okay with what they’re doing. Yes, you can play with the duct tape. Go ahead, touch the fish. Sure, lie down on a bed of nails. This is the place to do it. www.discoveryplace.org

Activity 3: Read, Play, or Take in a Show

Get your imagination on with inspiring options at Charlotte’s ImaginOn.

ImaginOn is a children’s library. And it’s a children’s theater. The library part is filled with books and app-loaded iPad stations. The theater section runs frequent professional shows based on the stories and characters children love. Both of these are awesome by themselves, but ImaginOn is more than just a library and a theater.

Their mission is to bring stories to life. They don’t do this by just letting kids be passive observers. They want kids to participate. The free play activities throughout the library encourages kids to use their imaginations. The colorful displays make one thing clear: ImaginOn is fun. It may be hard to leave. www.imaginon.org

Tip: Book tickets to the show in advance on their website. They frequently sell out.

Activity 4: Check Out the Skyline

Fresh air and fun at the Romare Bearden Park and gardens.

When it’s time for fresh air, head to Romare Bearden Park. The city often hosts public events there so don’t be surprised if there’s a band playing or vendors selling cotton candy or both. You may get lucky and join a pep rally for a local sports team. On quieter days you’ll still see people playing ball, doing yoga, or just lounging with a book and a snack. Kids run in the grass or get soaked in the splash park. Sit close to the waterfall to up the relaxation factor.

Tip: Romare Bearden is walking distance to BB&T Ballpark. Check their schedule in advance and book tickets to watch the Charlotte Knights Baseball team. See Romare Bearden Park online, and visit the BB&T Ballpark website.

1 Great Place to Stay in Charlotte with Kids: Omni Charlotte

The Omni Charlotte awaits families with activity bags and bedtime cookies.

When I’m staying in a city with my kids there are two things I look for: location, and kids activities. The Omni Charlotte covers both. Once you leave the hotel it’s only a short walk to most of Uptown’s most popular sites and restaurants. You can even walk to the Epicentre–a central hub of food, entertainment, and shopping–via a connected walkway.

As for kids, they’re covered. The “Omni Sensational Kids” program includes a bag of toys and activities at check in, plus milk and cookies for them on the first night. And for kids who love a view, take the elevator to the rooftop pool. See the Omni Charlotte online and visit the Epicentre website.

1 Great Place for the Family to Eat: 7^th Street Public Market

Take your pick and pick your take for lunch at Charlotte’s 7th Street Market.

The vendors at 7^th Street Public Market highlight one thing: Charlotte’s food culture. Based on the meals I’ve had here, that means everything is elevated with fresh, local ingredients. My pick is to share a pizza from Pure Pizza and then get a latte from Not Just Coffee. Order at the vendor’s booth and let them know you’re sitting outside. They’ll bring it to you when it’s ready.

My kids love sitting outside because it’s just next to the last stop for the light rail. Also, the “Touch My Building” exhibit on the building’s first floor exterior. Multiple panels light up and make pleasing sounds when touched. The tables are next to these panels and give the kids something to do while waiting for their food. www.7thstreetpublicmarket.com

Cologne with Kids | Germany Family Vacation Guide

Ann Belle — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:45:09 +0000

GERMANY FAMILY VACATIONS: Cologne with Kids – Want to get your kids excited about Gothic architecture? Then hop on a train to Cologne’s main station and step outside. Once outside they’ll do what everyone who walks out of the train station does– stare up at the 516’ Cologne Cathedral right next door.

Let the Cathedral draw them into the city. Farther into Cologne they’ll discover a city that feels new and trendy, yet dates back to the Roman Empire. They’ll find a city celebrating its German roots and global connections with world-renowned events, museums, and cuisine.

For these recommendations, I’m concentrating on family-friendly activities, a restaurant, and hotel that connect both Cologne’s past to its present — and its German heritage to its international flair. And they each prove that visiting Cologne with kids is a great idea. Let’s go!

This post contains affiliate links.

1: Tour a Building that Took over 600 Years to Build

With a Unesco World Heritage Site looming just outside the station, Cologne is quick to impress visitors.

Construction on the Cologne Cathedral started in the 13th century. It wasn’t completed until 1880. Today it is the city’s icon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Germany’s most visited tourist destination. With an average 20,000 visitors a day, it seems those with kids would want to avoid it. Don’t. Unless there’s a special event in the city, it rarely feels overcrowded.

For a few euros you can pick up an English language pamphlet and do a self-guided tour of the interior. A family ticket will save money for those interested in seeing the treasure chamber. The fearless can climb the steps to the observation tower to see the city from above (https://www.koelner-dom.de/).

Tip: Additional information can be found next door at the Dom Forum. They offer cathedral tours in English and for children throughout the day.

2: Get Inspired to Become a Patron of the Arts at Museum Ludwig

Museum Ludwig has something to inspire everyone, including the littlest kids.

Immediately next to the cathedral is Museum Ludwig. In 1946 a local lawyer donated his expressionist art collection to the city of Cologne. That same year, Peter Ludwig, a young student at the University of Cologne, saw the exhibit and it inspired him. Fifty years later he gifted his own collection of Picasso’s work to the city.

That art, along with others donated throughout the years, is housed at Museum Ludwig. Today it holds the third largest Picasso collection in the world, the biggest American pop art collection outside of the U.S., and more.

Best of all, though, is that this is a child-friendly museum. I can’t help but think they’re specifically molding the next generation of art collectors (and donors). Though most of their special children’s programming is in German, you can book an English language option in advance. Or, you can borrow the “family suitcase” for your visit. The suitcase includes toys and activities aimed at kids 2 and older to help them learn more about color, form, and material. www.museum-ludwig.de

Tip: New in 2015 – the Art Lab. This space includes several art stations for kids to keep art fun. Exhibitions within Art Lab will change frequently, often coinciding with art currently being displayed in the main area.

3: Explore the Rhine River Promenade

For the best views of Cologne, hop a Rhine River cruise from the Promenade.

Enjoy the walkable area next to the Rhine River. It starts at the train station’s Hohenzollern Bridge and ends at the beginning of the Rhine Harbor. This is an easy place to wander, sit at an outdoor cafe and watch the boats, go for a short boat tour, or just play in the grass.

Buildings look old, but they’re not. Around 95% of the buildings were destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in the past 60 years. Can you guess which are which? If you’d like to explore it even more take a 1-hour cruise on the Rhine River or get a Hop On/Hop Off Bus/Ship pass.

(Hot) Tip: Cool down with ice cream while you walk around. Locals and tourists alike take advantage of the many shops located in the city.

4: Choose Your Own Adventure with the Bimmelbahn

Choose your own adventure when you catch the Bimmelbahn in Cologne.

Hop on the green mini train and whisk the family away to a local site that best suites your personal interests, all while seeing more of the city. Starting at the Cologne Cathedral this train offers two options.

Chocolate or sports lovers will take the southern route to the Rhine Harbor, then pick from either the Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum–a Lindt-sponsored museum of all things chocolate–or the Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum where they can not just learn but try different sports.

The second route heads north, where the final destination is the Cologne Zoo. But those who want to get some energy out should stop at the cable car and cross the Rhine River to the Rhine Park. www.bimmelbahnen.de

Tip: The Bimmelbahn run is seasonal depending on the route. However, during the Christmas Market season there is an option to take riders to four of the city’s most popular markets.

Best hotel for families: Hyatt Regency Cologne (Koln)

A Rhine View Room at the Hyatt Regency Cologne, Germany.

Like most European cities, hotels for families can be an issue. It’s difficult to find the balance of space, affordability, and location. The family-friendly Hyatt Regency Cologne strikes that balance. It’s a luxury hotel located directly across from the Cologne Cathedral (and very convenient if you arrive by train!).

Because of the distance, the price is lower than a comparable one in the city-center. But, it’s hard to feel separated from the action with views of the cathedral, promenade, and river from your hotel room. For more hotel ideas in Cologne (Koln) click here.

Best restaurant for families: Peters Brauhaus

Peters Brauhaus is a great stop when visiting Cologne with kids (or without!).

Visiting a brewery with kids in Germany is perfectly fine. If you’re in Cologne, this is where you want to do it. Their menu offers popular German dishes as well as local specialties. The adults in the group can drink the local Kölsch beer and kiddies can sip on Apfelschörle, an apple juice and mineral water mix. Save room for dessert! www.peters-brauhaus.de

Tip: Because of its location in the Altstadt, Peters Brauhaus can get busy during popular hours. Reservations can be made in advance (Tel. 0221 – 257 39 50) or visit during non-peak hours.